[Epidural morphine for obstetrical pain relief (author's transl)]

Twenty five healthy pregnant women received an epidural injection (at levels varying from T11-T12 to L3-L4) of morphine (2 or 3 mg in 10 ml of saline solution 9 p. thousand) in order to achieve pain relief for delivery. The degree of dilation never exceeded 5 cm at time of injection. Pain level decreased in 22 cases (88 p. cent) but only 16 women (64 p. cent) were fully satisfied. Hypoalgesia begun after 25 minutes and disappeared after 19 hours. No respiratory or haemodynamic changes were noted. On the other hand, the duration of the first stage of labour decreased. The best results are seen when injection is achieved at highest levels, facing spinal cord segments supplying the cervix and the perineum. No newborn showed any sign of respiratory or neurologic depression.